Most people assume that when they go away they have to stay in hotels and eat out all the time. Not so. Coming on the heels of my recent piece “7 Money-Savers for Your Next Vacation,” I thought you’d all appreciate these 5 additional money-saving tips for those planning a vacation–maybe Spring Break? These mostly focus on looking into vacation rentals as opposed to traditional hotels.

1. Keep baggage fees to a minimum by packing light. Remember, most vacation rentals come equipped with washers and dryers, and vacation rental managers often provide free laundry detergent and bath amenities. Travelers may choose to use these perks to pack less, avoiding airlines’ baggage fees and restrictions. If packing light isn’t an option, at least see if shipping your stuff ahead of time via UPS or FedEx makes more sense financially then paying those airline fees!
2. Use space to your advantage. Vacation homes and condos can be from 400 to more than 10,000 sq. ft., often costing less than a single hotel room. Rates for some three-bedroom vacation rentals may start at just $69 per night, but sleep up to eight guests versus a few. Plan to travel with another family or two, and you’ll cut your rental costs to practically nothing! Plus, if you’ve got kids–and so do the people you’re traveling with–instant playdates!
3. Save on Dining Out. With full kitchens, and sometimes, outdoor grills, travelers can make and store meals and snacks for less. Sometimes even motel-like properties have full kitchens that you can use. I know that every June when we got to the Jersey Shore, we stay in a traditional beachfront motel with a full kitchen, and save money big time by at least making breakfast and lunch “in house.”
4. Entertain for Free. Most vacation homes, villa rentals and condos include amenities not found in hotels, some with private swimming pools, whirlpool spas, game rooms, fireplaces, DVD players, Internet access and free movie and video game rentals when booking some professionally managed vacation rentals. Many are in communities with access to fitness centers, hiking trails, parks, beaches and more. Basically, you can do all the fun stuff you like to do on vacation without spending extra money in the process!
5. Go slightly off season. Going to the beach in January is no fun but booking in June versus July can offer additional savings. Using our Jersey Shore example again, by going two weeks earlier this year than last, we’ll save $100 per night on our room. (Jersey Shore expert Jen Miller offered this advice in an earlier blog post right here.)